'Bridge builder's' work is done

If SunROC has been the bridge between three councils with somewhat divergent views on what the future shape of the Sunshine Coast should be, then retiring executive director Graeme Pearce has been the bridge builder.

With council amalgamation looming large in March, Mr Pearce will shut the door of his office for the last time ... his work done.

Endless meetings, research and reports will be replaced by travelling.

But while he will be lost to the region until the exploring has been done, his pioneering work on a host of vital strategic plans that will give the new super council a flying start will long remain in the Sunshine Coast’s history books.

The catalyst for the creation of SunROC (Sunshine Coast Regional Organisation of Councils) came earlier this decade when state government funding for much-needed infrastructure projects on the Sunshine Coast were continually overlooked, seemingly in favour of the Gold Coast.

SunROC was created in 2002. At the time, Mr Pearce was CEO of East Gippsland Shire Council in country Victoria.

“I actually saw the job advertised in The Australian in May, 2002 and thought I’d throw my hat in the ring,” he said.

“East Gippsland council had been formed through the council amalgamation process in Victoria. It was a five-councils-into-one scenario,” he said.

He was also executive chairman of Gippsland Development Advisory Board and the Gippsland Local Government Network.

“It was recognised that you must have an effective regional body to advocate for funding for projects, and it was apparent the Sunshine Coast was being left behind in that regard,” Mr Pearce said.

“Funding providers like to see a whole-of-region strategy before they commit funds.”

While some of those funding issues, particularly for transport, health and communications infrastructure, have now been addressed, much of SunROC’s most important work has been in securing funding for whole-of-region planning documents, and indeed for some of the actual projects, that will save the new super council years of work.

Those documents and strategies include:

1. The first regional economic development strategy

2. The Knowledge Economy Strategy

3. SunTRAN, an integrated land use and transport strategy

4. The Suncoast Broadband project

5. The regional Tracks & Trails Project

6. The Business Easy project

7. The 2005 Regional Recreational Facilities strategy

Mr Pearce said the organisation had also just finished its submission to the state government in response to the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan, listing $20 billion worth of projects identified as crucial for the region over the next 20 years.

The top 10 on the list (not in any particular order), were: A hospital and health hub, the CAMCOS corridor, Multi-Modal Transport Corridor, Caloundra to Maroochydore bus corridor, a pedestrian and cycle network, telecommunications network, construction of the east-west runway at the Sunshine Coast Airport,relocation of Caloundra Airport, social housing and construction of a $300 million convention, exhibition and performing arts centre.

Mr Pearce said the general view was that SunROC had played a significant role in developing regional strategies and funding agreements.

“I think we’re very, very fortunate to have the natural attributes, and the number of regional leaders in both the public and private sectors that we do,” he said.

“We’ve got a great future.” We’ve got the opportunities to build world’s best practice into our business centres and residential communities.”